Vehicle having an internal combustion engine and a fuel cell and method of making a vehicle

Abstract

A vehicle includes an internal combustion engine and a fuel cell for supplying electric vehicle systems. The fuel cell is thermally “coupled” with the internal combustion engine. The waste heat of the internal combustion engine is used for heating the fuel cell, that is, for maintaining the operating temperature of the fuel cell. The fuel cell is arranged directly on the engine where, in the case of conventional vehicles, the transmission is arranged. The transmission is arranged in the area of the rear axle in front of the rear-axle divider transmission.

Description

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION[0001]This application claims the priority of Application No. 101 40 210.4-22, filed Aug. 16, 2001, in Germany, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.[0002]The present invention relates to a vehicle having an internal combustion engine and a fuel cell and a method of making a vehicle.[0003]In modern mid-size and large-size vehicles, the internal combustion engine is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Normally, an auxiliaries drive is provided on the face of the engine. Auxiliaries, such as air conditioners, hydraulic pumps, etc. are mounted in the forward area of the engine or laterally and are driven by V-ribbed belts. The transmission may be an automatic multiposition reduction transmission or a manual transmission and is usually arranged in the area between the engine and the rear axle near the engine. Between the engine and the transmission, a hydrodynamic torque converter or a dry frictio...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0021]The transmission, arranged near the rear-axle divider transmission, may be a high-speed manual transmission or an infinitely variable speed transmission, such as a fully toroidal drive. The arrangement of the transmission near the rear axle has the advantage that the propeller shaft is only designed for the torque and speed ranges of the engine. The reason for this advantage is that because engine speed is higher and torque is lower, the weight of the propeller shaft is lower. In addition, a “transaxle transmission arrangement” permits placing of the fuel cell near the engine. Particularly

Problems solved by technology

Attempts to provide the required electric energy using a battery and a crankshaft starting generator, which combine the functions of a starter and a generator, result in installation space problems.

There is also the problem that an optimal efficiency cannot be reached simultaneously for the starter and generator functions.

Another

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